for

for is on the Basic English 850 List.

foot - for - force

for is one of the 1000 most common headwords.

foot - for - force

Pronunciation

stressed

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /fɔː/, SAMPA: /fO:/, enPR: fô
• (US) IPA ^(key): /fɔːr/ or /foʊr/, SAMPA: /fO:r/, enPR: fôr

• Audio (US)

  (file)

unstressed

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /fə/, SAMPA: /f@/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /fɚ/, SAMPA: /f@`/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Homophones: fore, four

Preposition

Preposition for

1. For is used to show that something belongs to something else, or has a specific function.

   This cake is for you.

   This is a net for catching fish.

2. (formal) For is used to show the reason for something.

   He was angry, for he had never been called such terrible names before.

Subordinator

Subordinator for

1. For is used to introduce the predicand of a to-infinitival clause.

   It's not good for you to be too relaxed.